DOA:......Bork, BB0237 - Like-Kin Child Care Subsidy
For 2025-2027 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public assistance
Wisconsin Shares like-kin update
2023 Wisconsin Act 119 extended kinship care eligibility to like-kin, in addition to relatives of a child. “Like-kin” is defined under current law as an individual who has a significant emotional relationship with a child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship and who is not and has not previously been the child’s licensed foster parent and, for an Indian child, includes individuals identified by the child’s tribe according to tribal tradition, custom or resolution, code, or law. This bill conforms language under the child care subsidy program, Wisconsin Shares, to this change so that references to kinship care are not limited to relatives. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 49.155 (1m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) (intro.) Subject to sub. (2), the individual is a parent of a child who meets the requirement under s. 49.145 (2) (c) and who is under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, is under the age of 19; or is a relative an individual who, under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) or 48.62, is providing care and maintenance for a child who meets the requirement under s. 49.145 (2) (c) and who is under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, is under the age of 19; and child care services for that child are needed in order for the individual to participate in an approved activity. An individual who is eligible to receive a child care subsidy under this subsection shall remain eligible for that subsidy for a period of 3 months after the individual permanently ceases participation in the approved activity or until the department or the county department or agency redetermines the individual’s eligibility, whichever is earlier. In this paragraph, “approved activity” means any of the following:
Section 2. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1h. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (c) 1h. If the individual is a relative of the child, is providing care for the child under a court order, and is receiving payments under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) on behalf of the child, the child’s biological natural or adoptive family has a gross income that is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. In calculating the gross income of the child’s biological natural or adoptive family, the department or county department or agency determining eligibility shall include court-ordered child or family support payments received by the individual, if those support payments exceed $1,250 per month, and income described under s. 49.145 (3) (b) 1. and 3.
****Note: This is reconciled s. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1h. This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1201/P1 and -0912/P1.
Section 3. 49.155 (1m) (cm) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (cm) 3. A relative of the child An individual who is providing care for the child under a court order and receiving payments under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) on behalf of the child.
Section 4. 49.46 (1) (a) 16. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.46 (1) (a) 16. Any child who is living with a relative an individual who is eligible to receive payments under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) with respect to that child, if the department determines that no other insurance is available to the child.
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